Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-08-23

] Isle is an nnmanly anu dishonest suDter-
fuge. The Virginia democratic Representa-.
tives knew the opposition of Mr.. Carlisle to
the bill when they went into the democratic
caucus They knew that majority of that
caucus agreed with the views OF Alr. Carlisle
! and would elect him Speaker, placing it in
his power to appoint committees and recog
nizs members in such way ms to defeat the
measure. With this knowledge they
agreed to be bound by the action of that
caucus, and voted for Dir. Carlisle. The de
| feat of the Blair bill was the action of the
democratic party, and for that action the
! democratic Representatives from Virginia
/ were as much responsible as John G.. Car
isle, because they agreed to be bound by
/ the action of caucus which made him
Speaker, with full knowledge Of his views,
! and voted for him in obedience to that
| pledge, thereby surrendering every princi-
Pile they protested upon the revenue, the
tariff and the Blair bill 10 the dictation Of
The democratic caucus, we'll apprised Of
what they were doing and we confidently
predict the re. election of Mr.. Carlisle as
democratic Speaker by the next Congress,
notwithstanding his opposition TO that meas
ure and all similar propositions.
Seventh. As to agriculture. There is not
and never can be any conflict between the
political parties of this State upon the pro
lesson Of friendship for our agricultural in
terests. Upon their thrift is built all pros
peiity. To their protection the republican,
party has ever been devoted. But when
the democratic party declares is concern
for the agricultural interests of the State, il
is well to remind the people that Secretary
Manning recommended TO tho 10th Con
gress repeal Of tariff duties on wheat, oats
corn, hay and other farm produces, and that
they be placed on the free list, and that
ten and coffee should be taxed as luxuries.
As Mr.. Cleveland endorsed this, and rs the
democratic party of Virginia has endorsed
Mr. Cleveland, it may be well enough for
the farmers to consider what this declnrn
ton of friendship by the Roanoke platform
is WORTH A friendship which would bring
the agricultural products CT the world in
competition with our own, in the home
market, may prove costly to the farmer.
Eighth. AS to the question of friendship
to the labolng men. We feel that our par
! ty, whose proudest motto is the Dignity Of
! American Labor and the Protection OF
American Industries" needs no vapid as
severaton of friendship for the 'laboring
. man. Such sweet assurances are, however.
timely from party whose administration
has indicted and prosecuted co operative
labor, while it has brought convict labor in
to active competition with honest industry
in town and country, and whose member
ship is coordinate in many localities OF this
State with "aw aud order leagues, insti
tated in opposition to labor organization.
Touching the resolution endorsing the
administration of Fitzhugh Lee, Governor
of Virginia, as "wise and judicious," we
confess ourselves at loss TO know what
thought or action Of Governor Lee has de
served such commentator. Since his in
auguralion he has shown himself lacking in
the ability or inclination to suggest any
thing for the relief of this people in their
distress. He has invited public meetings
of the citizens in various cities and counties
to protest against the payment of taxes in
coupons. In turn, invited to lend the
weight and sanction OF his presence as Gov
ernor at the meeting held in Richmond
pursuant to his call, he pleaded pressing Of
fetal duties as an excuse for absence. The
morning journals of the following day dis
closed the fact that he was enjoying the
companions, at the moment his excuses
were being read to the people, who bad
convened upon his call to discuss their
poverty He invited the representatives
of the British bondhoders to the capital of Vir.
GINA, and while they were in Richmond awaiting |
the results of their efforts at settlement with the
State, Involving millions, tho public press an |
nounced Gov. Leo absent from his Commonwealth |
officiating as Judge of 4 horse.racc at Washington |
D. C. Ho has used the State boards, which he
appoints, to reward broken down military
friends and incapable arstocrats, and in
several notable instances, to accomplish his own
political and private ends. The sole monument
of his administration, SO far is an elevator in the
capitol, constructed for his convenience. lis
CHIEF employment in office has been self-display
and iunketing with associates unqualified to ad-
wise or instruct him in the serious duties of his
high Office. From the date of his Inauguration,
he has "fddled while Rome is burning and |
frivolous levity is the chief characteristic of his
term. Such thrilling with grave and sad public
interests may DO CLOSED over by democratic man
ayers with an endorsement as wise and Judi
cious. 1t remains to be seen whether it fills the
measure of what the people expected from the
nephew of Robert E. Lee. For ourselves, we re-
greet that democratic endorsement of him has ne.
cessitatod this restrained censure of his admins
tration.
Touching The denuncation of the surplus in
the Treasury, TIE people of Virginia will recall
the fact that the accumulation of this surplus was
= leading count in the democratic indictment of
republicans in the campaign of 1884, and some
further apologies and explanations will doubtless
be called for from the democratic leaders rs TO
why this surplus is much larger now under
democratic administration than it was three years
ago.
Touching the pledge of the Roanoke platform
to protect and foster oysters we confess that it is
wise. il OF important, in the present crisis of
State affairs.
So much then for the platform of apologies and
explanations, upon which the democratic party
goes before the people in tho present campaign.
We respectfully suggest, however, that it
should have extended those apologies and cxpla-
nations to number of other things in which the
people Of Virginia are interested.
1t was reasonable to expect that party which
has been in legislative control for four years past
would render some account of its stewardship.
This people have the right to know what has
become of the 81 j43712 p which was in the
Treasury in 1889, when democrats re-entercd the
capitol. and what has been done with the taxes
sine, collected, amounting to over $1O,000,000;
md why there is now so little money in the
Treasury, with yet an accumulation of overdue
and unpaid interest in the same period, increasing
The State debt four and half millions!